The Associations of Retinal Microvascular Signs and Brain Imaging Markers With Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Small Vessel Disease

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) in adults aged 40 and older who do not have known dementia or stroke. This observational study aims to explore how SVD lesions seen on brain scans relate to cognitive problems and other neurological symptoms. They are also investigating new ways to predict SVD progression and its connection to retinopathy using advanced imaging techniques. The study is sponsored by the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University. Participants will undergo detailed brain imaging using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which includes several types of scans such as T1, FLAIR, MRA, PWI/ASL, DTI, DKI, SWI, and fMRI. Retinal digital images will be taken to assess vascular signs in the eye. Blood samples will also be collected to support research into disease mechanisms. Participants are grouped based on whether they have specific SVD-related brain imaging findings. During the study, participants will receive neuropsychological tests to evaluate their cognitive function. Brain MRIs and retinal images will be taken at the start and during follow-up visits to monitor changes in SVD features like infarcts, lacunes, white matter changes, and brain atrophy. The main outcome measured is cognitive state after one year. The study includes ongoing assessments and will continue until 2031, with regular monitoring to understand SVD progression and its impact on cognition.

Cognitive Impairment, Retinopathy, and Cerebrovascular Lesions in the Elderly